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F10 / F11 (2011 - 2016) The sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan (F10) was produced from 2011 - 2016 with LCI updates arriving in 2014. In the US BMW offered a hatchback 5 Series Gran Truismo (F07) and the rest of the world also go a Station Wagon/Touring version F11.

Earlier in the thread I said my friends and GF kept saying/joking(?) "don't get a BMW, you'll turn into a d-bag".... I can't believe it, but the force is strong on this one.... I've been driving like a d-bag....

I was under the impression that Black Panel Display came only on cars with Technology Package, i.e HUD & Black Panel Display (the one that is all black when off and then digitally appears in the exact classic BMW gauge cluster style) are bunched together. Is that the case of was Black Panel Display ever made standard?

I was under the impression that Black Panel Display came only on cars with Technology Package, i.e HUD & Black Panel Display (the one that is all black when off and then digitally appears in the exact classic BMW gauge cluster style) are bunched together. Is that the case of was Black Panel Display ever made standard?

Maybe someone already answered this later, I didn't read every reply. If the driver seat belt is buckled, you CAN roll the car in gear with the door open. It's when the door is opened AND seat belt unbuckled that it will not roll.

Maybe someone already answered this later, I didn't read every reply. If the driver seat belt is buckled, you CAN roll the car in gear with the door open. It's when the door is opened AND seat belt unbuckled that it will not roll.

I agree. The F10 is as timeless as it gets while the E-Class has more initial popping smoke, which essentially is a bad ingredient for aging. When M-B did such an extensive facelift to their own design, it kind of hurt the "W212 enthusiast" in me as it clearly looks like M-B designers didn't even stand behind their own work.

That's my big issue.... "sideways". It isn't like I'm replacing an old body with a new one either as the F10 is just 1 year newer of a body style.

It might sound vain, which I really am not.... except for maybe a bit with cars , but I'd hate to spend this extra cash as the F10 is considerably more expensive than the E-Class, and after the newness wears off, feel like I just moved "sideways". My girlfriend based on pics is already giving me grief via "why would you spend more money on that, it doesn't even look better than your car at all"? Though, in person as you need to really see the F10 in to appreciate the nice detailing, I assume it would give her a stronger argument. When she sits in and drives in it though, I know she'll realize just how much of an upgrade it is.

Though, technically speaking, there's no sideways involved. This $63+K 535i I'm looking is vastly more modernized in tech and drivetrain, much more optioned, and of course has a much more robust HP/TQ ratio (especially considering the N55 is underrated).

The BMW community is VASTLY superior to the M-B community though. There's a lot of passion and knowledge in the cars, the Forums have great dealer support ("Ask A Dealer", etc.) and names behind them to really help us find the right car and deals, etc. I've always said this, but M-B's clientele and overall approach is very "clinical" in comparison, right down to the Forums. More people just in it for the badge and to get some "wheels and a drop" as opposed to truly appreciating and understanding the brand and its heritage.

.... And some new pics. That spoiler can't get here fast enough to add that little extra touch to the rear. The F10 has always had one of my favorite butts but I think the subtle spoiler will just throw it over the top.

New pic with the spoiler. The car is literally COVERED in dirt. This black upkeep thing is gonna keep me on my toes for sure.

OK I've seen that before online. That's a little more aggressive compared to the actual M5 spoiler. Do you like it? Would love to see a side shot. Curious how much it sticks out and up. Would you say its not as subtle as the w212 spoiler?

OK I've seen that before online. That's a little more aggressive compared to the actual M5 spoiler. Do you like it? Would love to see a side shot. Curious how much it sticks out and up. Would you say its not as subtle as the w212 spoiler?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App

Actually I'm happy to say that I LOVE the way it looks. I was afraid that it would look too aggressive, but I welcome the slight added aggressiveness from the M5 spoiler as IMO it doesn't go too far to the point of de-classing the look of the car (what I was initially hesitant about).

However, I think part of the reason the effect isn't too over the top is because the car is black, on lighter cars maybe it'd look too noticeable?

Only issues I have are one side of it came heavily swirled which you can see only in direct sunlight. Also, they made it so that I had to apply the adhesive they provided myself to the spoiler, therefore never doing it before, I didn't take into consideration not to get the adhesive too close to the edges so it wouldn't poke out from under the spoiler. Now, in some areas if you look closely you can see the adhesive kind of peeking out from where the bottom of the spoiler meets the trunk. It's been pissing me off but it's very hard to notice, especially since in most lights the spoiler has an effect where it shades the area directly under it. Also, they're sending me new adhesive in case I want to re-do everything.

Actually I'm happy to say that I LOVE the way it looks. I was afraid that it would look too aggressive, but I welcome the slight added aggressiveness from the M5 spoiler as IMO it doesn't go too far to the point of de-classing the look of the car (what I was initially hesitant about).

However, I think part of the reason the effect isn't too over the top is because the car is black, on lighter cars maybe it'd look too noticeable?

Only issues I have are one side of it came heavily swirled which you can see only in direct sunlight. Also, they made it so that I had to apply the adhesive they provided myself to the spoiler, therefore never doing it before, I didn't take into consideration not to get the adhesive too close to the edges so it wouldn't poke out from under the spoiler. Now, in some areas if you look closely you can see the adhesive kind of peeking out from where the bottom of the spoiler meets the trunk. It's been pissing me off but it's very hard to notice, especially since in most lights the spoiler has an effect where it shades the area directly under it. Also, they're sending me new adhesive in case I want to re-do everything.

Ahh we were spoiled, the W212's came with the tape already on the spoiler. You may want to take a black permanent market lol and color the tape that sticks out.

Would love to see a few more shots from different angles especially side angel if you have the time.

Ahh we were spoiled, the W212's came with the tape already on the spoiler. You may want to take a black permanent market lol and color the tape that sticks out.

Would love to see a few more shots from different angles especially side angel if you have the time.

HAHAHA. I like the way you think my man.

Since you said it, I will open up....

.... I have already done the "permanent market mod". I have it in my trunk for whenever a "touchup" is necessary.

Problem is while trying to initially "push the tape in" I ended up giving tiny little scratches to the very top of the trunk (right under the spoiler). Of course, it's probably the most impossible section to see on my car now, but it sure annoys the hell out of me. I decided to leave it be, and color in the more exposed portions of the white tape when it becomes too noticeable. If I really want to tackle it, I can just put some touch up paint over it and you'd never really notice it unless you really looked for it.

In a body shop they call that special hand detailed touch up and charge you $100 per hour.

When trying to rationalize with myself I convinced myself that sharpie-ing that imperfection officially means I've marked my territory on the car.... Yes I might drive a $65K car, but dammit it doesn't change me!

When trying to rationalize with myself I convinced myself that sharpie-ing that imperfection officially means I've marked my territory on the car.... Yes I might drive a $65K car, but dammit it doesn't change me!

On a side note. Here's the funny thing about "flame surfacing". The F10 comes off so clean and all that you wouldn't really think it, but there's a lot of complex sheetmetal curvature going on there.

Case in point: Tonight I did one of my routine "door ding checks". Saw a funny "ripple motion" right behind my drivers door (at the very beginning of the passenger door, toward the top just under the strong character line).... got fumed that it was a "ding", and then rushed to the other side of the car to see how it looked on that side....

.... low and behold, they carefully "bend" the sheetmetal very subtly in that area so the doors can align (obviously). If you look too closely, you might think it's a very tiny, very hard to see unless under specific lighting, "ding".